Laboratory of microbial genetechnology

Description of Research Group

The LMG group has a keen interest in bacteriocin research since late 80s to the present days, both fundamental and applied research. This includes bacteriocin screening, purification, functional genetics, quorum sensing/gene regulation, receptor identification and mode of action studies.

Our recent focus is to understand how bacteriocins interact with their receptors on target cells and how these interactions eventually lead to destruction of target cells. Knowledge from these studies is important to develop bacteriocins into safe and efficient applications, both as food
preservatives and as novel drugs. We have an increasing interest in applied research, especially to develop bacteriocins into drugs to fight antibiotic resistant pathogens. These activities are led by Prof. Dzung Diep.

Technology, expertise and equipment

• We have a high-through-put screening assay for bacteriocins targeting pathogens of interest
• Our major pathogens of focus are MRSA, VRE and listeria
• We have a well-established platform for bacteriocin studies covering both biochemical and genetic aspects.
• We have established skin-infection models in mice for therapeutic studies.
• We have diverse luciferase-tagged pathogens and an IVIS imaging camera for studying infection development in animal models.